Abstract:

Climate change is reshaping the global risk landscape, requiring proactive institutional responses that integrate climate risk management into corporate strategies. This study examines the extent to which Zambia’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has incorporated climate change risk into its strategic and operational frameworks. Using a mixed-methods design with 70 staff respondents and 7 key informants, it assessed current practices, alignment with international best practices, and institutional challenges. Findings indicate that while initiatives such as early warning systems and climate-responsive contingency plans exist, climate risk considerations are not systematically embedded in DMMU’s corporate strategy. Key barriers include technical capacity gaps, financial constraints, policy fragmentation, and organizational resistance to innovation. The study concludes that strengthening technical expertise, securing dedicated climate financing, fostering policy coherence, and transforming organizational culture are essential to enhancing resilience and ensuring effective disaster management in the face of escalating climate risks.